Solving state’s woes

December 9, 2008 8:24 am

Regarding articles in the Nov. 26 BDN, it’s so discouraging; Augusta just doesn’t get it!

One article talks about cutting red tide monitoring. That would be harmful to the health of many people, income of fish markets, restaurants and fisherman. Raising fees by 25 percent would be detrimental to fishermen who now are just getting by. Instead, lay off people from the tourism department and use that money to pay for the monitors.

Another article was about the cost of legislators sponsoring so many bills, especially duplicates. Sen. Dennis Damon bragged in his hometown paper that his name was on 68 bills, some of which he wished that it wasn’t, but they were his friends’ bills. Sen. Peter Mills has said he will not cut down on the number he submits.

Gov. John Baldacci could sell the expensive gas hog he rides in to every ribbon-cutting ceremony in the state. There is so much trouble in Augusta he should stay there, do his own speaking to the press and terminate all the spokespeople.

Also, the airplanes owned by the state – sell them and rent as needed. Commissioner Pat McGowan rents his personal plane to the state when his department wants one even though a fully equipped plane, owned and insured by the state, sits idle at Old Town Airport all summer never being used.

These situations are just the tip of the iceberg.

Someone once told me “When they get to Augusta they lose all common sense and that certainly costs us big cents.”